|
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
01-15-2013, 09:56 AM | #1 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 261612
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Vehicle:2002 WRX - 750WHP 9.5s @ 150mph |
Visual Garage (VG) Shark Fin Antenna Installation Photos (2011 WRX Hatch)
Last night I installed the Visual Garage (VG) Shark Fin Antenna on my car. It's a 2011 WRX Hatch, but I imagine the process will be the same for all 08+ cars (and maybe even older ones). If you have sat/nav (ie. your OEM antenna is a different size/shape) then it may not fit. FYI - the VG website only has 07-09 Impreza as options. You can just choose 09 for any 09+ and it will work.
So, why would you want this? For looks! I (as well as many others) do not care for how the OEM antenna looks (the term RC car has been used). The VG antenna uses fractal antenna technology to create a smaller/sleeker antenna while still retaining near stock reception (unlike stubby antennas). You can find more info here: http://www.visualgarage.com/Product_How_It_Works.html When you order you get to choose from the factory paint options. Then they custom make your antenna and paint it to perfectly match your car! This is what makes the VG antenna such a good value. It honestly amazes me that a color matched item can be sold at this price. Here are a couple more photos of what a black one looks like: Underneath you can see the small circuit and the fractal antenna. There is also a coiled wire with a ring terminal which is used for attaching the antenna to your OEM antenna. The antenna has a pre-applied 3M adhesive around the bottom edge. Included, but not shown in the photos, is a small M5 and M6 screw and a washer. Now onto the install! VG has a great write up on their website, and it's also included with the antenna when you buy it. Please review their instructions in detail and understand them fully before starting. I'll post the Subaru specific version below, even though it does not vary much from VG's generic instructions. Here is a link to VG's page: http://www.visualgarage.com/Product_Installation.html First gather all the things you'll need. Dish soap, masking tape, isopropyl alcohol (IPA), instructions, a hair drier, shark fin antenna, and hardware. You'll also need a bucket of water, some microfiber cloths, and a flathead screwdriver. Here is the stock antenna. Unscrew it by hand. Then get your bucket of water, add a little dish soap and grab a couple microfibers. Wash the roof of the car around the antenna base. The dish soap will remove any wax on the car. Cont'd in the next post...
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
|
01-15-2013, 09:56 AM | #2 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 261612
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Vehicle:2002 WRX - 750WHP 9.5s @ 150mph |
Next get some IPA and clean it even more. I used some cotton pads for application. This should remove all of the remaining dirt and grime. Do an additional wipe down with a clean microfiber to removing any small particles.
Once it is clean you can start the test fit on the shark fin. Make sure that your placement allows for clearance with the OEM antenna underneath the shark fin. I found it best to point the OEM antenna forward for the most space. Take your time and carefully align the shark fin so it is straight. Step back from the car and make sure. Then add some masking tape to help with relocating it. I used strips all along the entire edge because I felt this worked better than just using 3 pieces like VG suggests. Next get a flat head screwdriver and the appropriate bolt and washer. For Subaru you will use the smaller M5 bolt. Screw the ring terminal onto the OEM antenna. Make sure to attach them in the following order, OEM antenna base, washer, ringer terminal, bolt. Due to the size of the items you need to have the washer between the ring terminal and the OEM antenna or else you will not get good contact (necessary for good reception). Do no overtighten. I pointed the OEM antenna forward, the ring terminal up, and then bent the lead to it sits flat. This seemed to allow for the best fit. Now it's finally time to install the shark fin for good. Do one last check that everything is clean and dirt free. Then get your hair drier and heat the roof of the car until it is at least room temp (or slightly above). Carefully remove the backing from the adhesive and apply the shark fin to the car. Be very careful to align properly using the masking tape as a guide. Start by pressing the front portion down for 1 minute. Then press the rear/entire thing down for 1 minute. Once it's stuck on you can pull the masking tape off and you're done! Here are some photos of it installed: So far I like it a lot! It looks much sleeker than the OEM antenna. I live in an area with good radio reception, and this does not seem to have changed. It is still just as good (or bad) as it was before. I will try to get updated pictures in daylight as soon as I can! |
01-15-2013, 09:57 AM | #3 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 261612
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Vehicle:2002 WRX - 750WHP 9.5s @ 150mph |
Crappy camera phone pictures of the shark fin antenna (and a very dirty car). Better ones eventually.
http://www.benjohnsonphotography.com...-MDW4D3n-L.jpg http://www.benjohnsonphotography.com...-SXZfXg9-L.jpg ************************************************** ******************** New photos: I grabbed my camera after work a took a some shots before it got dark. These are what I came up with. From my normal (low) angles you can barely even see it from the front, so most of the shots are from the rear. I really like how it flows with the car. Definitely better than the OEM antenna (IMO). Hard to believe this is the same car as the cell phone pics from earlier. It's amazing what a real camera/lens and a few hours of editing can do! I took exactly 100 shots and each of the shots above is a composite of 5-10 images (multiple polarizations). Last edited by xluben; 01-15-2013 at 10:22 PM. |
01-15-2013, 10:08 AM | #4 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 151670
Join Date: Jun 2007
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Vehicle:2009 Forester Satin White Pearl |
Looks good.
Is it possible to use like a sharpie to color in the whitish adhesive that surrounds the base of the antenna? I have a SWP Forester, so it won't be that much of an issue, but since your's is black it stands out more. |
01-15-2013, 10:11 AM | #5 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 261612
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Vehicle:2002 WRX - 750WHP 9.5s @ 150mph |
It's really not white, it's actually just black foam. The flash makes it look white/gray in the photos in the garage. The studio shots with the white background are closer to how it actually looks. I'm 100% positive you won't even see it under normal lighting on my car. On a white car it will be a black line around the base.
|
01-15-2013, 10:19 AM | #6 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 303531
Join Date: Dec 2011
Chapter/Region:
BAIC
Location: Redding, Northern California
Vehicle:12 Subaru WRX White |
Great write up thanks
|
01-15-2013, 10:20 AM | #7 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 266177
Join Date: Dec 2010
Chapter/Region:
MAIC
Location: Manassas Park, VA
Vehicle:2006 MX-5 RED |
Nice write up as always. I'd like to see some shots from further away.
|
01-15-2013, 10:24 AM | #8 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 309481
Join Date: Feb 2012
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Granite Falls, WA
Vehicle:2011 OBSwirl WRX 2004 FXT "Tucker" |
Ever since i got my car ive wanted to do this, good write up and thank god you dont have to drop the head liner and take the old one out
|
01-15-2013, 10:38 AM | #9 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 335013
Join Date: Oct 2012
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: SL,UT
Vehicle:2013 Premium WRX 5dr WRB |
Nice write up xluben! Got some more zoom out picture? I want to see how it look with the whole car. Not a big fan so far from your photos.
|
01-15-2013, 10:54 AM | #10 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 261612
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Vehicle:2002 WRX - 750WHP 9.5s @ 150mph |
I'll definitely get some photos of the whole car once I get a chance when it's light out. I might not be able to do it until the weekend though. We'll see...
|
01-15-2013, 03:09 PM | #11 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 261612
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Vehicle:2002 WRX - 750WHP 9.5s @ 150mph |
Crappy camera phone pictures of the shark fin antenna (and a very dirty car). Better ones eventually.
|
01-15-2013, 03:23 PM | #12 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 335013
Join Date: Oct 2012
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: SL,UT
Vehicle:2013 Premium WRX 5dr WRB |
hmm I'm not sure I like that look lol. It's just off on the hatch. I think this will look nicer on sedan. Just my $.02. But then I'm the guy that like the clear tail lights on my WRB hatch lol.
|
01-15-2013, 04:39 PM | #13 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 217211
Join Date: Jul 2009
Vehicle:2013 Limited ISM |
Awesome. Might have to do this in the spring. I need to get in touch with you in regards to a flip key too.
Also... just making sure, as the car sits in these photos your on RCE blacks with Koni inserts, correct? |
01-15-2013, 04:47 PM | #14 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 327511
Join Date: Jul 2012
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Chicagoland
Vehicle:13' WRX 6 Speed 11sec VF52 EL-EWG-E85 |
cool!
I stumbled onto this a little while back and wondered why it wasn't more popular, though I've noticed a few with it in the members gallery sections- not many speak of it. I am most concerned about it matching the color of the car, supposedly they do a pretty good job of it for all colors. I suppose reception would be the second issue It looks a lot better than the stock antenna! I've got one of these on my mind for a future exterior mod, it's nice to see your detailed quality photos, thanks! |
01-15-2013, 05:52 PM | #15 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 321321
Join Date: May 2012
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: STL
Vehicle:2010 Ford SVT Raptor Tuxedo Black |
Can't decide if I like it or not. I'll reserve the judgement for some typically good xluben DSLR pics. Wonder how easy this would be with a black wrapped roof. Would you want to order it black, or order it body color and wrap it with the roof. That way you could revert back to body color if you wish.
Anyone have pics of what the satellite antenna looks like? I have sirius in my car, but I thought it was going of a small black box in the corner of my windshield. |
01-15-2013, 06:25 PM | #16 | ||||
Scooby Guru
Member#: 261612
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Vehicle:2002 WRX - 750WHP 9.5s @ 150mph |
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
|
||||
01-15-2013, 09:05 PM | #17 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 301305
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: syraCUSE
Vehicle:2011 WRX Sedan C3S |
Quote:
Either way the antenna hasn't come in yet but when it does I'll let you know how it works and looks. Xluben, how long did it take to come in from the time of the purchase? The website said up to three weeks when I purchased, it's been about one, curious if it'll be less time. Looks good! |
|
01-15-2013, 09:07 PM | #18 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 261612
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Vehicle:2002 WRX - 750WHP 9.5s @ 150mph |
|
01-15-2013, 10:08 PM | #19 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 335013
Join Date: Oct 2012
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: SL,UT
Vehicle:2013 Premium WRX 5dr WRB |
It does look very rice in my pictures however the chrome have a grey shade to it in person and I think it goes very nice with the WRB. I saw a 2011 WRX hatch recently at the same dealer and notice their tail lights were A LOT whiter/clearer than mine lol. However it was a DGM WRX sono ot sure if they did a bit of improvement in 2013 or it was the contrast. I do want to put some overlay on it but I will be going for a smoke red color and not just OEM red. However this will be on the bottom of my to do list. So much stuff to do on this car to worry about some damn tail lights lol.
|
01-15-2013, 10:10 PM | #20 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 261612
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Vehicle:2002 WRX - 750WHP 9.5s @ 150mph |
I don't like smoke tail lights at all, in any form. That's just me though. And this thread has nothing to do with tail lights...
|
01-15-2013, 10:20 PM | #21 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 261612
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Vehicle:2002 WRX - 750WHP 9.5s @ 150mph |
I grabbed my camera after work a took a some shots before it got dark. These are what I came up with. From my normal (low) angles you can barely even see it from the front, so most of the shots are from the rear. I really like how it flows with the car. Definitely better than the OEM antenna (IMO).
Hard to believe this is the same car as the cell phone pics from earlier. It's amazing what a real camera/lens and a few hours of editing can do! I took exactly 100 shots and each of the shots above is a composite of 5-10 images (multiple polarizations). |
01-15-2013, 10:25 PM | #22 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 327511
Join Date: Jul 2012
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Chicagoland
Vehicle:13' WRX 6 Speed 11sec VF52 EL-EWG-E85 |
I like shots 1 and 4, the shark fin looks sweet. I was wondering why the other photos of the car looked so average
|
01-15-2013, 11:47 PM | #23 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 339046
Join Date: Nov 2012
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: PA
Vehicle:2013 WRX - Hatch Black |
that looks great, ill have to grab one
|
01-16-2013, 12:44 AM | #24 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 295432
Join Date: Sep 2011
Chapter/Region:
SWIC
Location: Arizona
Vehicle:2003 WRX MBP |
Looks really good I like the way it matches the sides of the rear spoiler
|
01-16-2013, 01:53 AM | #25 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 284835
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: S.D.
Vehicle:2014 Hyundai Equus White Pearl Mica |
Reminds me of jaws... LOL!
She looks good though. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|